posted
Our boys... 4 and 3 went on a nature walk with there dad. Later that evening at bedtime we noticed the ticks all over them. It is bad, I have never seen this many ticks on someone.. I am freaking out.
They were baby ticks.. looked like poppy seeds and were hard to remove. We had to shave there heads to see all the ticks to remove them.
Where each tick was they have a raised red bump and it itches. They cant sleep or relax they are scratching bad. My oldest is really uncomfortable with all these tick bites.
I have a page out for our LLMD doctor.. I dont kow what to do.. IT just freaks me out to think there was that many ticks on them!! They have had lyme but has been off antibiotics for months now. I wonder if they should get a round of antibiotics just to protect them?!
What could I use to help stop the itching. These bumps are oozing!
Any advice is great! THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!
Posts: 61 | From ILLINOIS | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
Sorry this is happening. How scary for all of you. You have been through enough.
This is definitely one for your llmd to handle. Do you live close by your llmd? Did your son's have the same llmd as you. If not I would call their llmd to.
So sorry I will keep you all in my prayers.
Posts: 488 | From NY | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
Not any help with your current emergency, but kids who have had lyme ought to have at least their shoes sprayed with permethrin and maybe clothes, and take precautions on outings like this. From now on, FOREVER, they have got to be careful. This applies to everyone who knows the hazards of lyme and other tickborne diseases.
It is not clear to me whether these were larvae or nymphs. If they were "seed ticks" (larvae) and were blacklegged ticks (deer ticks), then it is less likely they were infected with lyme, being the first developmental stage after the egg. If they were the next stage, nymphs, or a different species, then you could be looking at a different hazard. Usually seed ticks are easier to remove than nymphs, can almost be scrapped off, rather than individually pulled off.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
We did, We sprayed them and there clothes and shoes. Had there pants tucked into there socks! We really took all precautions. They had long pants on and long sleeved shirts on. They both did! Thats why my husband and I were so shocked that the were covered with so many!
I think nature is just not worth the risk! I am still waiting for our LLMD to call back. He treated the kids also. So I will see what he has to say.
Posts: 61 | From ILLINOIS | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
Some of the ticks could just be scrapped off, and some needed to be pulled off with tweezers. Although we were having a tough time because the tweezers were to big and it would not pinch the tick to pull it off.
Posts: 61 | From ILLINOIS | Registered: Nov 2005
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Treat them for lyme.
Also I imagine you were using deet?
Deet never did a thing for ticks on me. Permethrin is the way to go for ticks on clothing only.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
posted
Where do you get premethrin? Is it next to the deet sprays or is it something special you need to order?
Posts: 61 | From ILLINOIS | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
I use Bite Barrier for my kids 911healthshop.com/painrelief.html. Hopfully this website will work...if not google bite barrier. It's a natural product that works againist bugs, ticks and mosquitos. We've used it all summer and no problems.
Posts: 911 | Registered: Mar 2005
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just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
"IF" they were already in bed before you found them, how do you know you got them alll and didnt leave any for next go around? In bed? Or dropped off other places of the house??? I agree,,,VERY scary in light of all the precautions you took!!!
Did you 'save' any of them for specimens??? Seems pretty odd that your kids got so many and 'dad' didnt get ANY. Did you do a very good tick check on Dad too??? Did the kids walk under low hanging brush, bushes, or trees that dad was too tall for???
Seems like a go round of ABX is in order!!
Stupid question but are you real sure they were ticks???In that article I was quoting on a diffrent thread here about 'bedbugs',,, they are commonly mistaken for one another. AND there common sxs of bites are red swollen itchy welts on skin. They are even found now days in high end hotels and homes, not a sign of trashy dirty homes we tend to stereotype them with!!
Can you check their mattresses and their bed linens for signs of others?? You almost have to google "Dont let the bed bugs bite" to get real good info. I guess you see small red or blood smears on walls, sheets, mattresses, carpets etc. Also look for casings where they molt into larger skins like a snake sheds skin. Might have to use a magnifying glass to see anything. It says they engore and eat a full meal in 3-5 minutes, guess they are fast suckers.
I guess you might HOPE they are bedbugs rather than ticks. They are not 'accused' of transferring disease. But I cant imagine how they couldnt transfer blood bourne infestions,,,I would need more info to be convinced.
Hope for sure all turns out well there!! What portion of Illinois do you live?? My cousin has a couple boys and lives there too. Up by Onawa(sp) I think, or some small town nearby. If you live anywhere close, I would sure warn my cousin of such possible happenings. Thanks for the info!!--just don--
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Permethrin is a clothing treatment.You douse your clothes with the stuff in a well ventilated area and let them dry before you put them on.
You can buy it at sporting goods stores, tracor supply, dollar stores, Hunting stores,also it may be called Permanone by Repel.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
Yikes, that is scary. I don't have any suggestions beyond what these folks are saying, but I'm thinking of you.
Being that we live about 15-20 miles apart I must comment that the ticks are really bad this year. My dogs have been shaved, given tick meds from the vet in addition to garlic and brewers yeast. They still come in with the occasional tick.
My husband has cut down all the brush around our yard which has helped a lot.
Keep us posted and I sent you a PM.
Posts: 460 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
The local Walmart where I live also carries the Repel brand of permethrin. Think it is better for clothes than DEET.
Maybe outdoor equipment catalog sales places might be another sounce, could check the internet (REI, LL Bean, Cabela, etc). That would be only if you can't find any local place because it will add shipping charges.
Ticks can also climb up vegetation, and little kids can brush upper body and head against low hanging branches. True, it is less likely than in grass, etc, but still a possibility. One study showed that sitting on logs in the woods was very hazardous tick-wise.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
Lou, Sitting on logs in the woods is a sure fire way to get chiggers too!!!! And they ae a long way from pleasant!!!
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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posted
I did save some of the ticks. I have about 40 in a container. The others we discarded not thinking to save them. There were so many that I dont think they would of tested each one. They are small! I am waiting for our LLMD to call us back. I dont know if he will recommend us to send them in some where or what?
I dont know if they would test them or not. We found the ticks in the evening right before they were going to bed. They didnt have anything Friday or Saturday morning. My husband took them out Saturday afternoon and in the evening we found them. We found ticks behind there ears, around there eyes,in there hair, under there armpits, they were just everywhere.
Every where we pulled a tick off they have a raised bump and they are scratching like crazy and they are oozing.
They looked like a black dot on the skin and then in the container they had a light color to them pinkish. Very tiny!!
Posts: 61 | From ILLINOIS | Registered: Nov 2005
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
Oh, I feel so bad for your 2 boys & you parents!
Hubby came up with an excellent suggestion for me & ALL MY ITCHING:
RUBBING ALCOHOL; and get the corners good although in your case; saturate those kids. It's been a blessing for me & affordable for all .
I've had every type of RX and OTC itching ointment; nothing has worked.
glad you kept those ticks so they can be looked at...
I agree; get the kids back on antibiotics immediately. Best wishes to you all. Bettyg
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ConnieMc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 191
posted
I may be wrong, but I would think that most any doctor would at least start treatment for this many bites. If you cannot get ahold of your LLMD quickly, I would take them to their ped. Take the Burrascano guidelines along with you. Don't risk even going a day without treatment to let the possible bacteria disseminate. Heck, I would be at the ER if I had no other choice.
Poor little boys. That happened to my husband once way back years ago way before I even knew what Lyme was. He had a short peroid of illness at the time, but nothing since. But if he ever does come down sick and cannot get well, Lyme, etc will be the first thing I think about.
Keep us posted on what happens.
Posts: 2276 | From NC | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
I just received a call from our LLMD. And he said definatly lets give them a round of antibiotics. So he is giving them a 4-6week round of ceftin. He said thereafter if they have problems he will continue antibiotics. So we just have to watch them really close.
I worry about giving the kids so much antibiotics. Alhtough I know how important it is. I know the risks with antibiotics are far more better than the risk of lyme disease.
I am still in shock this happend. They also told me I could send the ticks in to get tested *IGENEX* Would any of you recommend that?? To send 20 ticks in they charge $60.00. To just test for Lyme disease. Thereafter to test for each disease is $60.00 dollars more.
So do any of you guys think I should send them in. IGENEX said that they dont have to be alive and they can still test them even though they are so tiny.
Has anyone done this?
Thanks everyone!
Posts: 61 | From ILLINOIS | Registered: Nov 2005
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groovy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6304
posted
Hi BB
I would sure start them on ABX- no reason to take a chance---
Save the tick in a jar- take pictures of bites and note locations
--Jay--
Posts: 2999 | From Austin tx USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
Take on-going photo graphs, video, and audio clips, close-up, and distal to capture seizures, muscle twitching/cramping of the face, eyelids; speech production; cognitive functioning during various activities; e.g: games;homework; capture the physical act of drawing, and handwriting; ask them to count backwards; ask or get them to recite/sing things they they know by heart/rote.
for rashes and other skin appearances, use rulers, and magnifiers to ensure you get details of skin lesions, and rashes.
save all drawings, and samples of handwriting,and in particular handwriting samples done in ink, that were done with a well-functioning pen( no defects, ink-flow problems), and under physical conditions that promote the execution of representative samples of their normal style.
my point?: to document...document...document, to maximize chances of getting appropriate treatment.
if discouraged from accumulating objective, "evidence-based" medical facts, nod your head in acquiescense, and do the above anyway on the Q.T. for future use,if necessary.
Posts: 2708 | Registered: Feb 2005
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posted
I vote no for the testing, unless you have extra $$$ lying around! I did that last year...spent $110 for Lyme and babs tests. Came back negative three wks later, but I came down SICK from the tick bite 9 days after being bitten! What a waste of money! [fortunately, I began taking abx the very first day!]
My very first encounter with ticks was at age 8 when my brother and I ran around in the woods and came back with about 100 ticks on each of our legs!
Keep us posted on how your boys are doing. I'm so glad you have our famed dr to take care of them!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Ann-OH
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2020
posted
The larval stage of Lone Star ticks, often called "seed ticks" can cause very itchy bites.
When they hatch out, there are hundreds or even thousands from one batch of eggs, so you can get lots of them from one encounter.
I have heard infection can be passed on from the female tick to her offspring. Anyone have a journal article on that?
Lone Star ticks are fast moving and more aggressive than black-legged ticks or dog ticks are.
I am so glad your doc is willing to treat the kids. Ask if they are liable to develop yeast infection with the antibiotic. There are good acidophilus capsules just for kids.
I agree sending the ticks for testing is expensive. Maybe you could check with the Illinois dept. of health or a University entomology dept. nearby and see what they could do about identifying and testing.
I hope you made sure their clothes got at least a half hour in the dryer.
luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
Are you sure they are not chiggers?
I live in the woods. Grew up in the woods. I have never heard of anyone getting so many ticks. Never. Worst case I ever had was 21 ticks.
Last summer just before I got sick,...hhmmm...I was infested with chiggers and they are by the dozens. You can buy across the counter stuff to cover the bites and suffocate the chiggers, because, yes, they are still under the skin and making those boys itch like crazy.
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
No there not chiggers. Under a magnifying glass they are definatly ticks! I wish they were chiggers!!
Posts: 61 | From ILLINOIS | Registered: Nov 2005
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-------------------- Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for a future only He can see....Corrie Ten Boom Posts: 343 | From Northcentral Iowa | Registered: May 2005
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quote:Originally posted by BBWagoner: No there not chiggers. Under a magnifying glass they are definatly ticks! I wish they were chiggers!!
And I'm SURE mine weren't either. They were most likely the Lone Star ticks, as they were in the Lone Star State!!
They can move very fast.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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lymemomtooo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5396
posted
BB..How awful..I am sure you found a quiet place for a few minutes to cry. I needed to do that a couple of months ago when my daughter was re-infected.
I am so sorry..I can not add much, you have good suggestions and are getting abx, and probiotics..They are important..
Just a thought..Benadryl may help with the itching..Or alveno baths..
Good luck..lymemomtooo
Posts: 2360 | From SE PA | Registered: Mar 2004
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david1097
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3662
posted
Yikes... Thats really bad.
I am glad to see that the Dr called back and is starting precautionary treatment. With that many insects attached the odds obviously go up significantly.
If possible, I would save all the ticks if you can and put them in a double sealed rigid container (ie. pill bottle inside a jar) in the fridge. With the low temps, maybe you can preserve any pathogens that are in the bugs so that , while possibly expensive, you can always go back to have them analyzed.
I would think it would also be good to figure which type of ticks they are as various types have a higher liekihood of carying certain diseases. This might be useful if odd symptoms start to show up. With any luck there will not have been any viruses passed on .
Another thing that I would do is to look at each bite site with a magnifying glass and double check that there are no mouth parts left in the entry site. If left embedded, these not only can become infected they can also increase the pathogen burden if the bug was infected. You might have to dig them out with a hypodermic needle tip. If you do, use a new one for each site. If you cant get enough new needles at least leave then in a 100% achohol soak for a few seconds afge each removal (ie use 2 or 3 and rotate usage leaving the other ones in the soak.) Still needles are cheap, best to use a new one for each removal even if you have to go the drug store to get them (insuline needles are the best for this)
Despite what is said about insect repellants, with that many bugs, there is no way to stop a bite. I once used liquid fogger fluid, directly on skin and clothes as a test. This stuff kills ticks and mosquitoes on contact if the bug contacts the fog produced by heating this stuff. Still some bugs got through.
The only safe option in highly infested areas is to wear some type of cap (like they do in surgery) and Tape the edges down to the skin. Nasty to remove but this is the only way to prevent an insect getting in. Same thing goes for the rest of the body. Use a tyvex coverall and tape the arms/legs etc. ( i have done this many times before in my pre-Lyme occupation). Obviously the best option is not to even go in those areas or if you don't know about the level of infestation, carry a drag sheet and look at it periodically and get the he11 out if it starts to pick things up.
These are some of the things that i would do in your situation however, as has been made abundantly clear to me in the past via PM by some nasty nasty people, not everyone may agree with what I say so please consider the above information as suggestions based on what I would do in a similar situation and in no way guidance to you nor a reflection upon the general membership of lymenet.
Posts: 1184 | From north america | Registered: Feb 2003
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posted
Benidril may help with the itching or maybe LLMD can call in somthing for the itching to at least help them sleep.I can't recall what I was prescribed but it was eithe atarax or something else for a severe drug allergy that helped me sleep greatly & relieved the itching.
Make sure you wash and dry the shoes, vaccuum well etc.
-------------------- Sandi ( badkitti30043) Posts: 664 | From Atlanta Ga. | Registered: Aug 2002
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bpeck
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3235
posted
First make sure you're really have the right species of tick in your plastic bag.
Have someone help identify them if you can't, then if they are deer ticks- then $60.00 will be the best money you ever spent.
Barb
-------------------- Barb Peck (Elder LymeNet user). Lyme since 1975 Transfusion Posts: 1882 | From VT | Registered: Oct 2002
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